The Best Foods To Eat Before Drinking Alcohol

Hooray! It's time to celebrate and hang out with friends and family and raise a glass — or two — or three. If this is the plan, you should consider getting your stomach primed and ready before taking that first sip of alcohol, so you don't have regrets later.

While staying hydrated and having something to munch on as you drink your wine, beer, or cocktail can potentially help prevent a bad hangover later, you will do yourself an even bigger favor if you actually eat before you start drinking alcohol. According to Insider, this can only improve your experience, because having food already in your stomach will help you pace yourself and prevent you from feeling woozy as your evening unfolds.

For the best results, there are certain kinds of foods you should seek out. Not only will these foods help you manage the amount of alcohol you absorb as you drink, they will also provide you with key nutrients. For example, if you are planning daytime drinking, Insider suggests you first enjoy some yummy avocado toast topped with eggs for a healthy dose of fats and protein that will also help slow the impact of alcohol.

For more good options, Healthline suggests any kind of food containing oats, such as oatmeal, granola bars, and smoothies. Oats are rich in fiber and protein, which will also create the sensation of fullness. Studies have shown that oats can also promote liver health by protecting the liver from the effects of the alcohol and mitigating potential liver damage. Bananas are also a great pre-alcohol drinking option. Bananas are 75 percent water, so they will help you stay hydrated, and the high levels of potassium may also help keep your electrolytes balanced while you're sipping on your favorite martini (via Healthline).

Another easy, healthy snack you should consider, according to Healthline, is unsweetened Greek yogurt. Because it contains the perfect trifecta of protein, fat and carbs, Greek yogurt ranks as an optimal food to eat prior to drinking alcohol. Top the Greek yogurt with fruit and nuts to gird your stomach with an even thicker coat of armor to fend off those alcohol-infused cravings.

So, the next time you plan on indulging in your favorite alcoholic beverage, consider first indulging in healthy, filling foods before bellying up to the bar. Your future self will thank you for it.